NATO Summit in Ankara: Trump and Erdoğan Meet
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump was welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as he arrived in Ankara for the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. Their meeting kicked off with a handshake and a musical tribute that featured the American national anthem, followed by a lengthy walk on a blue carpet toward Erdoğan’s residence. Attendees included U.S. ambassadors to Turkey and NATO, Tom Barrack and Matt Whitaker, along with Gen. Dan Cain, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The welcoming ceremony also showcased an honor guard comprising artillery and riflemen, plus officers on horseback.
After the formalities, Trump shared with reporters that discussions with Erdoğan would cover trade matters and military collaboration, notably the contentious potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Turkey had been removed from the F-35 program during Trump’s first term after it acquired surface-to-air missiles from Russia. Trump attributed this situation to his predecessor, Barack Obama, accusing him of denying Turkey advanced U.S. missile systems and encouraging Erdoğan to seek weapons from Russia.
During his remarks, Trump suggested he might reconsider this decision, a move that could upset both Turkish and American defense manufacturers, though he acknowledged that it might also allow Russian engineers to gather too much knowledge about the F-35.
“We have good relations with Turkey, and Turkey is, in many ways, more loyal than other countries that we ally with, so that’s something we are going to consider,” he stated, criticizing European NATO allies for their perceived lack of support during the Iran conflict.
Trump also noted, “If the summit hadn’t been held in Turkey, and if my friend wasn’t such a strong leader, I might not have shown up.” He voiced dissatisfaction about how the U.S. was treated in relation to Iran and pointed out the significant financial commitment America has made to NATO—investing trillions to protect European nations and Canada from threats originating from Russia.
He particularly called out Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, expressing displeasure over her absence during these discussions.
Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, reiterated Trump’s frustration regarding allies’ hesitance to support Operation Epic Fury against Iran. He noted that Tehran’s actions were detrimental to European interests as well.
Whitaker remarked that the president felt let down by allies unwilling to utilize their bases and stressed the disappointing political messages surrounding the operation’s initiation. He pointed out that many NATO countries had allowed their military capabilities to weaken, particularly in contrast to Turkey, which maintains a robust fighting force and a flourishing defense industry.
Amid these shifts, concerns emerged about whether NATO’s European members could effectively translate increased defense spending into real military strength. Trump’s warm rapport with Erdoğan and plans for a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shalah indicate a pivot from America’s steadfast commitment to protect European allies against Russia’s enduring threats, as he seems to be focusing more on military alliances in the Middle East.
According to Ozgur Unluhisarcikli from the German Marshall Fund, NATO allies agreed last year to elevate defense spending to 5%, and discussions in Ankara will focus on converting these funds into capabilities. He noted a growing momentum in defense enhancements compared to last year.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who typically has a good working relationship with Trump, appeared to grasp the president’s sentiments. Just as Trump was arriving in Ankara, it was revealed that billions were being allocated to NATO military initiatives.
“We must ensure that we transition our economic power into military capability and effectively leverage our financial resources, focusing on defense programs, drones, missiles, and interceptors,” Rutte explained.
